EPA v. CATANIA SPAGNA CORP

Case summary

On June 17, 2024, EPA and Catania-Spagna Corporation (Catania) entered into an agreement to resolve alleged violations of Section 311 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) stemming from a peanut oil spill at the company's headquarters in Ayer, Massachusetts. EPA alleged that the company released 6,830 gallons of peanut oil into a neighboring wetland from a railcar with a faulty valve. The wetland drains to an adjacent brook which flows ultimately into the Merrimack River. Under the Consent Agreement and Final Order, which initiated and concluded EPA's enforcement action simultaneously, the company will pay a $47,813 penalty. Catania, a national producer and distributor of food oils, spent more than $467,000 to clean up the spilled oil and plans to spend an additional $1 million on improvement projects at its Ayer facility to help prevent future spills. EPA has notified the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection of the settlement.

Defendants (1)

• Catania Spagna CorpNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CATANIA SPAGNA CORP

  1 NEMCO WAY, AYER, MA, 01432

  Registry ID: 110054612656

Statutes cited

• CWA 311B — Oil & Hazardous Substances Discharge

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CATANIA SPAGNA CORPentered 2024-06-17

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $47,813

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2024-06-17Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-06-17Final Order Issued
• 2024-07-01Enforcement Action Data Entered